PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST ANNOUNCES JANUARY CASH DISTRIBUTION, EXCESS COST POSITION ON WADDELL RANCH PROPERTIES AND PETITION FILED BY SOFTVEST
MWN-AI** Summary
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) announced a cash distribution of $0.040056 per unit for January 2026, payable to unit holders on February 13, 2026. This payment is an increase from the previous month, primarily due to additional settlement payments from Blackbeard Operating LLC and improved production and pricing from Texas Royalty Properties. However, the distribution does not include proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties, where production costs surpassed gross revenues, resulting in an ongoing excess cost position.
For December 2025, the Waddell Ranch properties yielded no proceeds that could contribute to the January distribution, as the necessary financial information is received quarterly rather than monthly. The trustee indicated that recovery of excess costs from Waddell Ranch will require future revenue before any distributions from these entities can occur.
In contrast, the Texas Royalty Properties reported production of 17,309 barrels of oil and 8,378 Mcf of gas, translating to revenue of approximately $1.1 million after expenses, with net profits contributing nearly $915,000 to the January distribution.
Additionally, SoftVest, L.P., a unit holder in the Trust, has filed a petition in court seeking modifications to the Trust's Indenture, specifically proposing to amend approval requirements for certain changes from 75% to a simple majority of unit holders. A preliminary hearing regarding this petition is scheduled for January 28, 2026.
As global market conditions continue to impact oil and gas pricing, the trust warns of the potential uncertainty surrounding future distributions. For more detailed financial reports and updates, stakeholders can visit the Trust’s official website.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent announcement from the Permian Basin Royalty Trust regarding its January cash distribution of $0.040056 per unit marks a notable event for investors. This distribution, while showing an increase from the previous month, does not include proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties due to an excess cost position; total production costs exceeded gross proceeds. This financial nuance highlights the importance of maintaining a close watch on operational costs and pricing within the oil and gas sector, especially in the face of fluctuating commodity prices.
Investors should take note of the Trust's reliance on Texas Royalty Properties, which yielded impressive production volumes and revenue. However, the reported figures indicate a vulnerability to market fluctuations, given that lower oil pricing can directly impact distributions. The average oil price has seen a decline, and natural gas production volumes have also dropped. Such variability prompts a cautious outlook for future distributions.
Furthermore, the ongoing legal petition filed by SoftVest to modify the Trust's indenture introduces additional uncertainty. If successful, these changes could alter governance structures and the dynamics of decision-making within the Trust, potentially impacting unit holders' interests. Stakeholders may want to monitor this situation closely, as it may alter the investment landscape of the Trust.
In summary, while the recent increase in cash distributions has positive implications for unit holders, the complex dynamics involving production costs, pricing fluctuations, and potential governance changes underline the need for careful investment analysis. Strategic investors might consider diversifying their portfolios to mitigate risks associated with the oil and gas sectors while remaining vigilant for forthcoming developments regarding both production performance and the legal proceedings.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
DALLAS, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Argent Trust Company, as Trustee of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) ("Permian" or the "Trust") today declared a cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of $0.040056 per unit, payable on February 13, 2026, to unit holders of record on January 30, 2026. The distribution does not include proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties, as total production costs ("Production Costs") exceeded gross proceeds ("Gross Proceeds") for the month of December, resulting in a continuing excess cost position for the Waddell Ranch properties. More information regarding the Waddell Ranch properties is described below.
This month's distribution increased compared to the previous month due primarily to the second settlement payment being received from Blackbeard Operating LLC, this in conjunction with Texas Royalty Properties having higher oil volumes, along with higher natural gas pricing, partially offset by lower natural gas volumes and oil pricing for the month reported.
WADDELL RANCH
Information from Blackbeard, the operator of the Waddell Ranch properties, necessary to calculate the net profits interest ("NPI") proceeds for a given month is received after the announcement date for the month's distribution. As a result, in accordance with the Trust indenture, if NPI proceeds are received from the Waddell Ranch properties on or prior to the record date, they will be included in the following month's distribution.
As noted above, no proceeds were received by the Trustee in December 2025 to be included in the January distribution. All excess costs, including any accrued interest, will need to be recovered by future proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties before any proceeds are distributed to the Trust. Due to the fact that Blackbeard provides production, pricing and cost information quarterly instead of monthly, the Trustee will be disclosing that information in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K for the foreseeable future (to the extent timely received from Blackbeard).
TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES
Production for the underlying Texas Royalty Properties was 17,309 barrels of oil and 8,378 Mcf of gas. The production for the Trust's allocated portion of the Texas Royalty Properties was 15,285 barrels of oil and 7,401 Mcf of gas. The average price for oil was $59.18 per bbl and for gas was $8.49, which includes significant NGL pricing, per Mcf. This would mainly reflect production and pricing in October for oil and September for gas. These allocated volumes were impacted by the pricing of both oil and gas. This production and pricing for the underlying properties resulted in revenues for the Texas Royalty Properties of $1,095,523. Deducted from these revenues were taxes and expenses of $132,454 resulting in a Net Profit of $963,069 for December. With the Trust's NPI of 95% of the Underlying Properties, this would result in a net contribution by the Texas Royalty Properties of $914,915 to this month's distribution.
Underlying Properties |
Net to Trust Sales | |||||
Volumes | Volumes | Average Price | ||||
Oil | Gas | Oil | Gas | Oil | Gas (per Mcf) (2) | |
Current Month | ||||||
Waddell Ranch | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) |
Texas Royalties | 17,309 | 8,378 | 15,285 | 7,401 | $59.18 | $8.49 |
Prior Month | ||||||
Waddell Ranch | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) |
Texas Royalties | 13,834 | 12,089 | 11,957 | 10,456 | $60.17 | $8.32 |
(1) These volumes are net to the Trust, after allocation of expenses to Trust's net profit interest, including any prior period adjustments. | ||||||
(2) This pricing includes sales of gas liquid products. | ||||||
(3) Information is not being made available monthly but may be provided within 30 days next following the close of each calendar quarter. To the |
General and Administrative Expenses deducted for the month, net of interest earned were $172,927 resulting in a distribution of $1,866,989 to 46,608,796 units outstanding, or $0.040056 per unit.
The worldwide market conditions continue to affect the pricing for domestic production. It is difficult to predict what effect these conditions will have on future distributions.
PETITION FILED BY SOFTVEST
On December 26, 2025, SoftVest, L.P.("SoftVest"), a unit holder of the Trust, filed an Original Petition for Modification of Trust (the "Petition") in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas (Cause No. 96-373245-25) seeking judicial modification of the Trust's Indenture. In the Petition, SoftVest seeks to (i) amend Section 8.03 of the Indenture to eliminate the requirement that certain amendments require approval by 75% of the outstanding units of the Trust, and (2) delete Section 10.01 of the Indenture that sets forth certain prohibited amendments and replace Article X of the Indenture with a provision permitting amendment of any provision of the Indenture by a vote of unit holders in accordance with Article VIII (which, as amended, would permit amendment by a majority in interest of unit holders constituting a quorum at a meeting of unit holders where a quorum is present). A preliminary hearing will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. before the 96th District Court of Tarrant County, Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 4th Floor, 100 North Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76196 to address SoftVest's Motion for Substituted Service of Process in the matter.
The 2024 Annual Report with Form 10-K, which includes the December 31, 2024, Reserve Summary, has been filed with the Securities Exchange Commission. Permian's cash distribution history, current and prior year financial reports, tax information booklets, and a link to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all can be found on Permian's website at http://www.pbt-permian.com/. Additionally, printed reports can be requested and are mailed free of charge.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any statements in this press release about future events or conditions, and other statements containing the words "estimates," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," "may," "intends," and similar expressions, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors or risks that could cause the Trust's actual results to differ materially from the results the Trustee anticipates include, but are not limited to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Trustee's views as of the date hereof. The Trustee anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change. However, while the Trustee may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Trustee's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Contact: Nancy Willis, Director of Royalty Trust Services, Argent Trust Company, Trustee, Toll Free – 1.855.588.7839
SOURCE Permian Basin Royalty Trust
FAQ**
How will the current excess cost position on the Waddell Ranch properties impact future cash distributions for unit holders of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (PBT)?
What factors contributed to the increase in the January cash distribution for the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (PBT) compared to the previous month?
Can you provide insight into how the petition filed by SoftVest could potentially alter the governance structure of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (PBT)?
What future market conditions and pricing trends could significantly affect the distributions and overall performance of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (PBT)?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT).
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